The posting
About Us
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will lead the financial control, reporting and compliance activities for the Financial Times entities in Hong Kong and Singapore, while contributing more broadly to regional Finance initiatives and projects across Asia. Working closely with Finance teams and stakeholders across multiple markets, the role offers the opportunity to develop broader regional experience, share best practice and contribute to process, control and capability improvements across Asia.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting
- Oversee the overall accounting and financial activities for the FT entities in Hong Kong and Singapore
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records with robust and efficient internal controls
- Review all Balance Sheet reconciliation accounts, ensure completeness and promptly resolve outstanding items
- Supervise and work closely with the external auditors to ensure timely completion of statutory audits
- Collaborate with the Accounting Service team based in Manila to coordinate financial matters effectively
- Prepare annual operating plans and forecasts for selected cost centres and analyse variance to optimise financial performance
- Manage treasury and cash flow, including funding requirements for all Hong Kong and Singapore entities
- Coach and develop the local finance team
- Support financial control and reporting work for newly set up or acquired Asia legal establishments (subsidiaries, joint ventures, branches, rep offices)
Tax, Legal and Other
- Manage profits tax filing and all tax compliance matters
- Liaise with tax advisor and UK tax team to formulate and execute transfer pricing agreements
- Evaluate tax implications of transactions across different tax regimes such as corporate income tax, VAT/GST and withholding tax
- Coordinate company secretarial work with the external service provider
- Manage relationships with local external auditors, bankers and company secretarial service
- Manage treasury and cash flow, including funding requirements
- Implement group tax and IT initiatives and oversee system implementations
Business Support and Strategic Initiatives
- Play a key role in local strategic initiatives as required
- Foster and maintain relationships with business units, collaborate effectively in addressing operational challenges
- Provide financial insights and analysis to support decision-making and business planning
- undefined
Human Resources and Office Administration
- Review and approve payroll, ensure the accurate recording of payroll
- Oversee the Travel Management Company and Corporate Credit Cards programs
- Support crisis management and business contingency plan
- Support payroll system implementation and its continuous enhancement
- Office administration – support office moves, review tenancy agreements and insurance policies, and record retention.
Qualifications / Competencies / Skills / Experience
- A technically strong qualified accountant with an audit background is preferable
- Experience in a similar role with a multinational background
- Experience in preparing statutory accounts and a good working knowledge of IFRS and internal controls
- Tax knowledge in the APAC region
- Advanced Excel skills
- Knowledge of the Oracle finance system
- Organised and hands-on with excellent analytical skills to diagnose business issues and decisive in applying appropriate measures
- Able to multitask and deal effectively with both short-term imperatives and long-term planning
- Open-minded and can understand and appreciate different perspectives of an issue while adaptable to work with a variety of situations, individuals or groups
- A team player who can build and maintain effective working relationships across the business community
- Effective communication skills and ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others
- Fluent in English, with proficiency in Mandarin an added advantage
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Further information
At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
